Fleet Assembles On Eve Of The Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship

Competitors from across Europe and North America are gathering this evening for the opening ceremony at the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. The fifty-one boat fleet is made up of entries from the USA, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and Ukraine and over the last several days the competitors have been working their way through the Championship registration process as well as getting in some vital on the water practice time. The time for preparation is over now however, as racing in the six-day twelve-race series is scheduled to start tomorrow.

If the results of the Pre-Worlds Regatta give any indication of form, then it was to confirm the potency of the European contingent racing here this week. The reigning World and European Champions from Italy, 'UKA UKA Racing' steered by Lorenzo Bressani, cemented their position as the pundits’ favourite, with victory ahead of Italian America’s Cup helmsman Flavio Favini on the Swiss registered 'Blu Moon'. Third place was taken by another Italian helm, 2006 World Champion Nico Celon on 'Fantastica'. Outside of these three boats, the high quality Euro squad at this event also includes the double European Championship winning 'Joe Fly' crew steered by Italian 470 Olympian Gabrio Zandona as well as Britain's two-time Melges 24 World Ranking helm Jamie Lea on 'Team Barbarians'.

Matching the potential of the visitors are a raft of high profile US helms, each capable of putting together a World Championship winning series here in Annapolis: US sailing legend Terry Hutchinson on 'Quantum Racing' comes into this event as the current Melges 24 North American Champion, a title he won here last year; Brian Porter on 'Full Throttle' is the 2009 US National Champion and has 2002 World Champion Harry Melges calling the shots; Bill Hardesty and Vince Brun have four Melges 24 World Title victories between them and have teamed up aboard 'Event’s Clothing/Atlantis' and Chris Larson the serial one-design champion and local favourite has three-time Finn Olympian Richard Clarke as tactician role aboard 'West Marine Rigging/New England Ropes'.

The Corinthian Division (no professionals allowed) at this regatta has attracted a fourteen-boat entry and looks likely to produce a fierce battle for the Corinthian World Title. Arguably the favourite here is USA helm Bruce Ayres aboard 'Monsoon' who in the Pre-Worlds Regatta has been mixing it at the front of the main fleet and finished one place short of the main fleet podium in fourth. Othmar Mueller von Blumencron (USA) on 'Gannet' is the reigning North American Champion and has clearly set his sights on reclaiming the Corinthian World Crown which he last won in 2007. Henry Filter from the Championship host Eastport Yacht Club, sailing aboard 'Wild Child' but his local knowledge to good use in the Pre-Worlds Regatta to finish as third Corinthian behind Ayres and von Blumencron; a result he will be no doubt be hoping to improve on in the main Championship.

The mouth watering prospect of such a star-studded list of international teams pitting their wits against not only each other but also the unique challenges of the Chesapeake Bay, suggests that the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is likely to be one of the closest and hardest fought World Championship in the history of the class.

The Championship will run from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October with up to twelve races scheduled. For the live from the race course blog, daily reports and results plesae visit the Event Web Site. Please note that the Sailing Instructions and Entry List are available online.

Members of the media planning to attend the event or wishing to recieve press releases, web resolution images or high resolution images are requested to Register Online confirming their planned attendance dates and media center and press boat requirements.  For other media queries or to receive details of how to embed the live event blog into your web site please e-mail fiona.brown@melges24.com.

THE SHEEHY LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS 2009 MELGES 24 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS SPONSORED BY:

Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis - Title Sponsor
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, the Baltimore-Annapolis area's ONLY Elite Lexus dealership for six consecutive years, will be the title sponsor of the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. To drive a Lexus is to experience the perfect blend of automotive performance and luxury. To own a Lexus from Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis is to experience something even more: a recognition of your personal needs that goes beyond offering expert service and convenient hours. Throughout the regatta, competitors and spectators will be able to inspect a wide range of Lexus luxury automobiles, which will be on display at the regatta center.

Pusser's Rum - Official Rum
The official rum for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Pusser's Rum. Rum and the sea are inseparable, and no rum is more akin to the sea and the sailor than Pusser's Rum - the Original Navy Rum. Pusser's continues its long standing association with the Melges 24 Class by hosting the mid-week Pusser’s Painkiller Party as well as providing their legendary Pusser’s Painkiller cocktails for the daily post racing gatherings and sponsoring the Pusser's WipeOut Of The Day competition.

Coral Reef Sailing Apparel & Gill - Official Apparel Sponsor
The official apparel sponsor for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRSA) and Gill. CRSA is continuing their strong commitment to the Melges 24 class by providing apparel for the World Championship. Items can be purchased online now, or on-site at the event. Gill is a brand leader in foul weather apparel specific to the sailing enthusiast.

Atlantic Yacht Rigging - Official Rigging Partner
The official rigging partner for the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship is Atlantic Yacht Rigging. AYRS is a full service company that can help with any of your rigging or repair needs any time of the year. From wire swaging projects to fiberglass repair and everything in between, they will be onsite providing the best service to the entire fleet.

T2P.TV - Official Video Partner
T2P.TV is an National award winning media group specializing in live, on the water video production and online broadcasting of major sailing events for almost a decade. As such they have been involved in coverage of every facet of the sport from Jr. Sailing to the America's Cup. T2P.TV will be providing official video coverage of all the racing action throughout the Championship.

Official Beer
We thank Buck Distributors for supplying the official beers of the regatta. Miller Lite triple hops brewing, Peroni master-brewed, and Leinenkugel a legend in brewing for over 140 years. Cheers!

Tacktick - Official IMCA Media Output Sponsor
Tacktick, the world leader in wireless, solar powered electronics for the marine industry, is the Official Sponsor of the Media Output from the 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Tacktick's support will enable the class to provide media output in the form of daily press releases, live online reporting from the racecourse via the officialMelges 24 Blogas well as on the dock video interviews with the sailors.

Other supporting sponsors include the City of Annapolis, National Sailing Hall of Fame, BoatingLaw.com, Go!The Airport Shuttle, Boatyard Bar and Grill, Sam's Waterfront Cafe, APS Ltd, Pusser's Caribean Grille at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, Team Barbarians, RACEBOOK-US, North Sails One Design, SailFastPhoto, PantherVision, Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co, Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard, Sail 22, Latis Yachting Solutions, Kathryn M Weber, CPA, MarinaCastTV, Fawcett Boat Supplies and LaCroix Waters.  This event is also supported by the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA), the US Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) and the Annapolis Melges 24 Fleet #22.

The Melges 24 Class and Eastport Yacht Club are extremely proud to be partnered with these outstanding companies and sincerely thank them for their generous support of the 2009 Worlds.

Sponsorship opportunities still exist and tax deductible donations are also being accepted; please contact 2009 World Championship Regatta Chair Liz Filter if you would like to make a gift.

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Visit the official event website at www.melges24worlds2009.com for more information on the Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship. Also, visit the Eastport Yacht Club online.

The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information, visit the official class websites of the International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)and U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA).

For more information or press photos, please contact:

Justin Chisholm 
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+44 7769 938722
Skype: justinchis 

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Association (IMCA)
Administrator 
+44 (0) 7711 718470
Skype: fpbrown

Nancy Noyes
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) 
Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis 2009 Melges 24 World Championship Press Officer
+1 (410) 263-5028 

Joy Dunigan
U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA)
Class Communications Director | Executive Secretary
+1 (912) 398-5776
Skype: joysavannah